Hansi Flick Seeks Addition to Barcelona's Fitness Coaching Staff

Despite clinching La Liga titles in consecutive seasons, Barcelona is actively exploring avenues to enhance their team and solidify their dominance in Spanish football. The club is not only targeting high-profile player signings this summer but is also considering changes in their coaching setup, particularly in fitness training.

According to reports from ARA, Barcelona plans to recruit a new fitness coach for the upcoming season to bolster the team's physical conditioning. Manager Hansi Flick's tactical approach requires significant physical effort from players, prompting him to advocate for the addition of a specialized coach. This move aims to minimize injury risks that plagued the team last season, notably affecting key players like Raphinha and Pedri.

Among the candidates under consideration is Oliver Bartlett, who has previously collaborated with Flick during their tenure with the German national team. Having recently concluded his contract with Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, Bartlett is currently available for hire. Another potential candidate is Holger Broich, a former fitness coach at Bayern Munich, who also brings valuable experience to the table.

It's important to note that the introduction of a new fitness coach is not expected to alter the role of Julio Tous, who presently oversees Barcelona's physical preparation. Flick values Tous's contributions and has no plans to part ways with him, with discussions of a contract extension for an additional two to three years on the horizon. Tous currently leads a team of three coaches: Pep Conde, Rafa Maldonado, and German Fernandez, and an additional senior coach could further enhance their training efforts.